Toftwood garden gets Halloween makeover, for a good cause

Rachel Broughton's Halloween garden in Toftwood is raising money for Prostate Cancer UK (Image: Rachel Broughton)

A real Halloween treat awaits visitors to Rachel Broughton's garden in Toftwood this week but while the special effects are meant to scare and spook them there is also an important message behind the spectacular display.

Miss Broughton wants to raise money and awareness of men's cancer which claimed the life of her good friend Ralph Carman, and encourage men not to be scared to go to the doctor if they are worried about their health.

'I used to work with Ralph when he ran Woodrow Garage in Cawston and he and his family became a big part of my life,' she said.

'Earlier this year he was diagnosed with cancer and he died about a week later.

Ralph Carmen, who died of prostate cancer (Image: Carmen family)

'People need to be made aware how important it is, particularly for men, to get checked out by a doctor.'

Miss Broughton has charity collecting tins and buckets and she hopes anyone who pops round to see the display at 14 Florence Walk will put a few pennies in the collection.

The garden transformation took Miss Broughton, her partner John Havis, and friend Zara Brown a week to put together.

It will be open to visitors until Sunday, November 6 at the back of the house, where they will be able to see the full display, complete with smoke machines, sound effects and even a moving coffin.

Rachel Broughton, Zara Brown and John Havis have spent a week decorating their garden for Halloween, raising money for cancer charities in memory of their friend Ralph Carmen. Picture: Ian Burt (Image: Archant 2016)

Donations can also be put through the door.